The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1887-11-03
MARY'S FATE.
A Pathetic and Romantic Sketch
of Western Life.

I'VE do not take the worth of a
woman into consideration, either when
we love or when we regret her.
tits no uncommon thing for young
ster to become infatuated with woman
entirely unworthy of his love and affec-
fon, and when in our quiet little noun
tain town of B in Indian Territory,
mmor began to talk of young l. in
connection with the subject of this
sketch. to me it was no surprise. His
people came to me for advice and help
in the premises. l recommended pa
tienee and apparent indifference and the
matter would die a natural death. l
wellremember the day that Mary came
10 town. having been at the hotel when
the silver stage came slowly numbering
into B..
Seated up beside Big Tom," the
stage driver, was a petite. black-eyed
black-haired girl of about nineteen
years, with as sweet and pretty face
as lever saw in my life. l could not
imagine who she was, but few days
after. she was arrested and brought be-
fore me for disorderly conduct. l was
only justice of the peace, but honored
with the title of Judge, western Gus
tom, but never before fully appreciated
the dignity of my title until she looked
up into my face with such pleading
expression and said:
Judge, please don't be hard on me;
Twas persuaded to drink and not be-
ing accustomed to it, acted strangely
and noisily. Please, judge, don't be
hard on me.'
Well, what could l do? am an old
fellow, in fact what they call an old
inner in the Territory, and particularly
PRIDE myself on my utter Indifference
70 women, but, well, l couldn't resist
ner, and with mild reprimand re.
leased her.
occasionally caught a glimpse Of
aer on the street, always neatly dressed
and looking as innocent and modest
@ a schoolgirl, but gave her nc
especial thought until her name begar
% be coupled with young LIS. me-
he youngster almost daily, but he never
spoke to me of her, though l hav,
Aaown him for many years and hav,
Always been his friend and counsellor.
one evening in December l was sit
aag IN my Office comfortably ensconcet
n my big chair, the logs were crack
aas merrily in the open fireplace, an,
aWas-well, must confess it? Dream
ag-lust think of it! An old fellow
rsty years old dreaming, and of what
me old, old story-''a woman
0ae who had been all in all to me in th
IsaIs gone by when was a young la,
auaent IN Maryland. In the glowin
saloers ! saw her sweet face, looking a
ae IN a beseeching manner, the wa
ss "oked when l, years ago, listene
'ae worlds calumny and flung fror
ia Ie tne purest love ever offered mar
siearned the truth afterward, but sh
ss another'swife then and I wandere
ae Wild West. thought of my ow
MISERABLE. misspent existence, years {
asslpatlon and ungodliness in minin
.snps and wild western towns, an
~, a''a shudder | was forced to realiz
.aa.. "a, with all my philosophy an
opalstry was but miserable old fe
:" aiter all, when rap-rap-rap +,
Sanded ;a, sharply at my door, an
a0ut waiting for an answer in rushe
suug L." He was covered wit
,a0W from head to foot and his fla,
,,;sa ~ As pale as death. "Why, my boy"
sas:. what is the matter?n L
ssl'ated for a moment, and then con
a q apso me. put his hands on n
Isls Ia'aers s. and asked: "Judge, will yt
NV "ld help youp OF course l wi
slt? Out with it.''
sank slowly into a chair opposi